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HankronBoth PSA/DNA and GAI encapsulate (grade and authenticate) autographed cards, and both are worthwhile services (I'm talking about the authentication of the signature). Mike Gutierrez is one of the authenticators for GAI and he's a top dog. And Spence and Steve Grad for PSA/DNA are top notch.
From what I understand, for PSA/DNA the authentication of the signature and the grading of the card are usually done in two different places.
I once asked Spence and he said that, at the time at least, for MastroNet lots that PSA/DNA authenticates, the items do nnot have the 'official' PSA/DNA LOA or DNA marking. For a fee (naturally), LOA's and markings for individual items in a large lot would have to be obtained later. The LOA you receive from MastroNet (and signed by PSA/DNA) is perfectly valid and useful, but you have to go to an extra effort and cost to get individual LOAs ... I beleive that if a PSA/DNA item has that little square & serial numbered PSA/DNA tag that the item does have the DNA marking.
For Mike Gutierrez' personal auctions, you get a single LOA w/ DNA for the entire lot and there is a (I think) $30 fee per extra LOA-- meaning if you won 4 autographed baseballs and wanted an LOA for each item. I'm not exactly sure how the GAI DNA markings work for MastroNet auctions, as I haven't asked.
If someone had a special autographed card, I think getting it entombed by PSA/DNA or GAI would be worthwhile (I didn't say neccesary). PSA/DNA's $20 fee helps decides which cards would be autographed, or not be autographed.